Abstract: The invention is a method for cracking heavy oils to olefins. In parallel streams, the heavy stream and a steam diluent are heated to the point of partial thermal cracking while in the other stream a lighter oil and steam are cracked to produce olefins. The hot, olefinic light stream is then mixed with the heated heavy stream and further cracked. The hot, olefinic stream acts as both a diluent and a heat source for cracking the heavy oil to an olefin containing product.

Abstract: A method for thermally cracking hydrocarbons under elevated pressure is disclosed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons which comprises contacting, in a first zone, a heavy hydrocarbon having an API gravity at 25.degree. C. of less than about 20, such as Boscan heavy crude oil and tar sand bitumen, with a liquid comprising water, in the absence of externally added catalyst and hydrogen, while maintaining the first zone at a temperature between 400.degree. and about 480.degree. C. and at a pressure at least about 690 kPa (about 100 psig, about 6.76 atm) and less than about 5,000 kPa (about 725 psig, about 148 atm), for a contact time under continuous flow conditions sufficient to produce a uniform (i.e.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feed injection method is provided in which concentric inlet conduits carry hydrocarbon liquid and steam. Small nozzles located on the outer steam-carrying conduit discharge steam in the direction of the inner wall of the transfer line reactor to protect the inner wall from carbonaceous deposits. The hydrocarbon feed nozzles are staged along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transfer line.

Abstract: A thermal cracking process for producing olefins from hydrocarbons which comprises the steps of burning hydrocarbons with less than the theoretical amount of oxygen in the presence of steam to give a hot gas of from 1400.degree. to 300.degree. C. comprising steam and hydrogen prior to reaction; feeding to the hot gas comprising the steam and hydrogen, a mixture of methane and hydrogen so that the methane/hydrogen molar ratio in said hot gas is over 0.05; further feeding a starting hydrocarbon to the hot gas mixture comprising the methane, hydrogen and steam; subjecting the starting hydrocarbon to thermal cracking while keeping the partial pressure of hydrogen at least 0.1 bar at the outlet of a reactor, the temperature at 800.degree. to 1200.degree. C., and the residence time at 5 to 300 milliseconds; and quenching the resulting reaction product.

Abstract: In methods of manufacturing olefines by thermally cracking hydrocarbons, there is disclosed a thermal cracking method for producing olefines from hydrocarbons, characterized in that hydrocarbon is burnt with oxygen in the presence of steam to generate a high-temperature gas containing steam of 1500.degree.-3000.degree. C.; methane and hydrogen are supplied into the high-temperature gas containing said steam, with the molar ratio of methane to hydrogen in said high-temperature gas being 0.05 or more, then hydrocarbon to be cracked is supplied into said high-temperature gas containing said methane, hydrogen and steam, so that the hydrocarbon is subjected to thermal cracking by maintaining the partial pressure of hydrogen at more than at least 0.1 bar at the outlet of a reactor, under conditions of reaction temperature, 800.degree.-1200.degree. C. and residence time in the reactor 5-300 milli second, and then the reaction product is cooled in a rapid manner.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for converting components of natural gas liquids to aromatic compounds by certain pyrolysis and recycle steps wherein the ultimate yield of light aromatics is maximized while the compression and other costs are minimized.

Abstract: Coking of residual oil and devolatization/partial gasification and desulfurization of solid particulate fuel are carried out in a single reactor. The particulate fuel is burned in a combustion zone in the bottom of the reactor. A bed of particulate fuel is fluidized above the combustion zone with gases rising from the combustion zone. The fluidized bed is maintained at a temperature which cokes the residual oil and volatizes the particulate fuel. A high temperature, low velocity zone is maintained between the combustion zone and the fluidized bed for calcination and desulfurization of the solid fuel.

Abstract: This invention provides a two-stage visbreaking process for increasing the production of a visbroken hydrocarbon product from heavy oil feedstock, which meets heating oil viscosity specifications with little or no blending with external cutter stocks.The second stage visbreaking is conducted at a relatively high Severity in contact with a fluidized bed of particulate solids.

Abstract: The invention is a method for cracking heavy oils to olefins. In parallel streams, the heavy stream and a steam diluent are heated to the point of partial thermal cracking while in the other stream a lighter oil and steam are cracked to produce olefins. The hot, olefinic light stream is then mixed with the heated heavy stream and further cracked. The hot, olefinic stream acts as both a diluent and a heat source for cracking the heavy oil to an olefin containing product.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbons are upgraded and cracked in a process comprising contacting the heavy hydrocarbons with olefins containing 5 or less carbon atoms and a solvent, at a temperature both sufficient for cracking and greater than or equal to the critical temperature of the solvent.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feed to a steam cracking furnace is heated to near cracking temperature by indirect heat exchange with steam to permit use of a range of feedstocks.

Abstract: A process for upgrading heavy crude comprises the hydroconversion of asphaltenes and resins in the presence of steam and ammonia at high temperatures, followed by deasphalting to eliminate metals and remaining asphaltenes. By way of the process of the present invention, conversion of asphaltenes and resins is accomplished while at the same time insuring a low formation of gases and coke so as to obtain an end product with a high yield of distillates and low metal content. The process is particularly suitable for any type of heavy crude, for example those of the Orinoco zone, which possess a high content of asphaltenes and metals.

Abstract: A process is described for producing ethylene and propylene in high selectivity from feed streams containing ethane and propane. The process involves separating the feed into ethane and propane fractions and subsequently cracking the ethane fraction to produce ethylene and dehydrogenating the propane fraction to produce propylene. The fractions are then combined and purified, and the ethylene and propylene products are recovered. Any unreacted ethane or propane is recycled back to the cracking or dehydrogenation units respectively.

Abstract: A process for converting heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons which comprises contacting, in a first zone, a heavy hydrocarbon having an API gravity at 25.degree. C. of less than about 20, such as Boscan heavy crude oil and tar sand bitumen, with a liquid comprising water, in the absence of externally added catalyst and hydrogen, while maintaining the first zone at a temperature between about 380.degree. and about 480.degree. C. and at a pressure between about 5000 kPa (about 725 psig, about 49 atm) and about 15,000 kPa (about 2175 psig, about 148 atm), for a time sufficient to produce a uniform reaction mixture; forwarding the uniform reaction mixture to a second zone wherein the temperature and pressure conditions of the first zone are maintained for a time sufficient to separate the uniform mixture into a residue and a phase comprising light hydrocarbons, gas and water, withdrawing the residue and said phase from the second zone; and recovering a light hydrocarbon product having an API gravity at 25.

Abstract: A process for upgrading oils is disclosed, in which the oil to be upgraded is contacted with liquid phase water and free oxygen at an elevated temperature and at a pressure sufficient to maintain at least part of the water in the liquid phase.

Abstract: A process and apparatus capable of cracking hydrocarbon to produce a reaction product containing a high proportion of ethylene. A hydrocarbon such as naphtha is vaporized and admixed with superheated steam at high temperature in a mixing device. The resulting hydrocarbon-steam mixture is passed through a reaction zone consisting of a reactor conduit which extends through a passageway defined in a radiation block structure. Heating gases at extremely high temperatures are directed through the passageway, co-currently with the hydrocarbon-steam mixture, to produce a desirable heat flux for the cracking reaction. A short residence time in the reactor conduit is maintained to prevent undesirable side reactions.

Abstract: Tube for a cracking plant, comprising an inner tube, a coaxial outer tube and a reinforcement layer intermediate said inner and outer tube, said reinforcement layer having openings or passages through which said inner and outer tube are bonded together.

Abstract: The tendency toward ice or solid hydrate formation during cooling of a light hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon mixture such as LPG or NGL for storage or transport at sub-zero temperatures is eliminated by mixing it with aqueous methanol solution in a mixer 5, cooling the mixture in cooler 8 and thereafter separating the hydrocarbon and aqueous phase in a separator 10, the solution being chosen to be substantially insoluble in the hydrocarbon phase and freeze below the temperature to which the mixture is cooled, and at least part of the aqueous phase being recycled by pump 17 to the mixer 5 for re-use with methanol being added as required to restore its concentration in the recycling liquor towards that of the initial aqueous solution and some of the recycling liquor being removed as required to restore the quantity of circulating liquor towards its initial level.

Abstract: A process of quenching an effluent containing materials having a tendency to coke is disclosed, the process being characterized by the quenching of the effluent in a quench zone wherein heat is transferred from the effluent through at least one heat exchange tube wall, and through a solid heat transfer medium surrounding the tube and in contact with the tube, to water, the temperature of the wall being maintained above the dew point of materials having a tendency to coke partly by the provision of the solid heat transfer medium which increases gradually in thickness from a point at or near the entry of the tube to a point at or near the exit of the tube.

Abstract: The formation of carbon on metals exposed to hydrocarbons in a thermal cracking process is reduced by contacting such metals with an antifoulant selected from the group consisting of tin, a combination of tin and antimony, a combination of germanium and antimony, a combination of tin and germanium and a combination of tin, antimony and germanium.

Abstract: The flow of cracked gases, for example, from an ethylene plant through the tubes of a transfer line heat exchanger is equalized by employing larger cross-section tubes in the outer portion of the exchanger and smaller cross-section tubes in the inner portion of the exchanger thereby preventing, or substantially minimizing, build-up of coke deposits in the exchanger, especially in the inlets of the tubes in the outer portion where coke formation conventionally occurs.

Abstract: The heat supplied to an ethylene process cracking furnace is manipulated so as to maintain a desired ethylene production rate while the flow of feed to the ethylene process cracking furnace is manipulated so as to substantially maximize the selectivity of the ethylene process cracking furnace to the production of ethylene. In this manner a desired ethylene production rate is maintained while the process economics are improved in the case where the cost of the feed is a more important economic consideration than the cost of the energy required for the cracking furnace by substantially minimizing the conversion of the feed to undesired byproducts.

Abstract: A process for forming coke from an oil is disclosed, in which the oil is contacted with liquid-phase water and free oxygen at an elevated temperature and a pressure sufficient to maintain at least part of the water in the liquid phase.

Abstract: A cracking furnace has a radiant heating zone provided with fuel-fired burners and through which a preheated feedstock is passed, combustion gases from the radiant heating zone passing into a convection zone before being discharged from said furnace. The convection zone is provided with heat-exchanger means for preheating said feedstock. The heat-exchanger means in the convection zone is subdivided into a plurality of functionally separated heat-exchanger bundles and the feedstock is passed selectively through the bundles in accordance with the composition of the feedstock.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for pyrolysis of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock in which the feedstock is counter-currently contacted with a hot hydrogenating gas stream flowing spirally from the periphery of a substantially circular reactor (1). The hydrocarbon feedstock is injected through an inlet (4) located toward the center of reactor (1). The hot hydrogenating gas is preferably formed by combustion, using a steam-oxygen mixture injected through inlet (2), of carbonaceous by-products from the pyrolysis. Product is removed centrally through outlet (3).

Abstract: A portion of a steam pyrolysis tubular coil, preferably the outlet portion, is provided with an insert to provide a radiation absorption surface within the tube. The insert is dimensioned to increase heat flux without adversely increasing pressure drop. A preferred insert has a central body and outwardly extending vanes in contact with the interior of the coil.

Abstract: Combustion gas passes upwardly through the radiant section of a fired process heater having vertical tubes in such manner that the gas is in predominantly back-mixed flow condition in the lower portion of the radiant section and predominantly plug-flow condition in the upper portion of the radiant section.

Abstract: Combustion air, prior to being introduced into the cracking furnace in a hydrocarbon pyrolytic conversion and separation system, is preheated by employing bottom pumparound, top pumparound and/or quench water streams diverting from the primary fractionator externally connected to the pyrolysis reactor in order to optimize the thermal efficiency of the overall process.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for heat carrier generation for the advanced cracking reaction process comprising separately preheating an oxidant stream; joining a fuel stream and at least a portion of the process steam stream to form a stream having a steam-to-fuel ration between 0.1-10; preheating the joined stream; reforming said joined stream at a temperature up to 1000.degree. C. in the presence of a reforming catalyst comprising at least one metal selected from the metals of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements on an inert support; separately preheating any remainder of the process steam; and mixing said preheated oxidant, joint and steam streams to burn in admixture in a combustion zone to provide a hot gaseous combustion products stream.

Abstract: The heat provided to a cracking furnace is manipulated so as to substantially maximize the value of the product stream flowing from the cracking furnace. An analysis of the product stream may be utilized to measure the ratio of a first constituent in the product stream to a second constituent in the product stream (severity equivalent). The severity equivalent required to substantially maximize the value of the product stream may be calculated in response to process operating conditions. The heat supplied to the cracking furnace is manipulated in response to a comparison of the actual severity equivalent to the desired severity equivalent to thereby substantially maximize the value of the product stream.

Abstract: In a process for the thermal cracking of hydrocarbons to produce olefins, improvement of recovering hydrocarbons boiling above 200.degree. C. from the thermal cracking stage, preferably removing polymeric components therefrom, catalytically hydrogenating resultant hydrocarbons boiling above 200.degree. C., and recycling resultant hydrogenated hydrocarbons to the thermal cracking stage.

Abstract: A method of recovering heat energy from hydrocarbon pyrolysis effluent characterized by differentiated cooling systems, reduced coking, and high quality steam generation. Steam quality is improved by utilization of a minimum quenched effluent temperature of at least 370.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for reducing coking in quench units is disclosed, the method being characterized by removal of the coking materials from the quench liquid employed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making ethylene by subjecting a gas mixture containing hydrocarbons, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and steam to a hydropyrolysis reaction. More particularly, the gas mixture is heated to temperatures higher than 800.degree. C. inside a reaction zone having metal walls. The walls contain aluminum and/or copper in at least their surface portions.

Abstract: The invention is a method of handling the enthalpy of reaction of fast homogeneous gas-phase chemical reactions, by using mechanical energy in the form of work performed by moving surfaces in contact with the reactants, for adding energy to or removing energy from the gaseous reactants. Transfer of energy is obtained by adiabatic compression or expansion of the gas, or by adiabatic dissipation of mechanical energy into heat. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out fast homogeneous gas phase chemical reactions wherein the said principles are applied in the reactor and to a process for cracking hydrocarbons wherein the said principle is applied in the reactor.

Abstract: Residue of distillation, preferably under reduced pressure of oil sand bitumen is thermally treated in a liquid state at a temperature of 350.degree.-450.degree. C. by blowing thereinto an inert heating medium, preferably a superheated steam at a temperature of not lower than the temperature of the residue in a reaction step for 20 to 90 min to crack the residue for converting the residue to a crude synthetic oil, a combustible pitch and a gas, the resultant pitch being utilized to the steps of recovery of oil sand bitumen from oil sand and of distillation as fuel.

Abstract: Cracking of crude oil or crude oil residues is accomplished in an adiabatic reactor which follows a partial combustion zone with the injection of superheated or shift steam into the combustion gases.Advantages are that the carbon monoxide produced by partial combustion is converted to carbon dioxide which is easily removed, there is no need to supply a separate source of fuel or hydrogen, and coke formation is substantially eliminated. The cracked oil produced in the process can be used as a quench oil and/or fuel to feed the partial combustion zone. The yields of olefins and aromatics is increased over processes using superheated steam cracking.

Abstract: A method of producing high yields of olefins from hydrocarbon feedstocks which is particularly applicable to heavy hydrocarbons. In accordance with the present method, a stream of gaseous oxygen is introduced into a first reaction zone and a cocurrent flow of hydrogen is introduced about the periphery of the gaseous oxygen stream, the hydrogen being introduced at a temperature at which it will spontaneously react with the oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen are introduced in amounts to provide a gas stream of reaction products having an average temperature within the range of from about 1,000.degree. to 2,000.degree. C. and which comprises a major amount of hydrogen and a minor amount of water vapor. The gas stream so produced is introduced into a second reaction zone and impinged upon a stream of hydrocarbon which is heated to a temperature in excess of its melting point but below the temperature at which any substantial coke or tar forms.

Abstract: Petroleum is distilled into fractions and/or cracked to form gas and/or lighter oil fractions by pumping the oil into the boiler section of a unit disposed in a hot, deep, subterranean geothermal zone. The distillation can be aided by forming steam from the geothermal heat as a thermal carrier.

Abstract: The mass production system disclosed herein provides a method for producing highly aromatic petroleum pitch, comprising, preheating a liquefied petroleum residuum to a temperature of 450.degree.-520.degree. C. by passing the same through a tubular heater for 0.5-15 minutes, feeding the preheated residuum into a reaction vessel, thermally cracking the same by introducing an inert gas heated to a temperature of 400.degree.-2,000.degree. C. through a heating furnace into the reaction vessel for direct contact with the residuum for 0.5-10 hours, and adjusting to be coincident the ratio of the number of feeding flow lines for the preheated residuum from the tubular heater into the reaction vessels to the total number of reaction vessels with the ratio of the charging time .theta.C required for charging one reaction vessel with one feeding flow of preheated residuum to the total time .theta.T required for carrying out one batch of the thermal cracking in one reaction vessel.

Abstract: The process relates to the production of olefins by thermal cracking, in the absence of a catalyst, of a fuel value residual hydrocarbon feedstock which, prior to cracking, is extracted with a paraffinic solvent which is selective for the saturated hydrocarbon material present in the feedstock. Preferred extraction conditions include the use of supercritical temperatures and pressures. The solvent is separated from the extracted hydrocarbon material and the latter is then cracked.

Abstract: In a reactor for cracking heavy hydrocarbon oil through a fluidized bed of particles of natural ores, coke-like materials are deposited on a top of the reactor or pipe inside surfaces of a transfer line from the reactor to a scrubber. To effectively scour out the deposited coke-like materials, particles of natural ores having a mean diameter of a few hundred .mu.m is made to be contained in an effluent gas from the top of reactor, passing through the transfer line at a concentration of 1 to 40 g/m.sup.3. The particles of natural ores have a good effect of scouring out the deposited coke-like materials and can keep the transfer line efficiently clean even with a small amount of the particles of natural ores, decreasing a pressure drop in the transfer line.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of thermally cracking a heavy petroleum oil by introducing the heavy petroleum oil into a reactor and contacting the heavy petroleum oil thus introduced with a gas, which does not react with the heavy petroleum oil, at a temperature of 400.degree.-2000.degree. C. thereby thermally cracking the heavy petroleum oil. The method uses plural reactors and introduces the heavy petroleum oil into the reactors in a specified manner, and charges the reactor in advance with a specified amount of heavy petroleum oil of a specified temperature.

Abstract: In the production of lower olefins by steam cracking normally liquid hydrocarbons at very short residence times, the formation of coke deposits in cracking furnace tubes is minimized by the addition of a low-coking hydrocarbon to fresh feed having a high coking tendency.

Abstract: A process for purifying aromatic hydrocarbons contained in liquid products of refining petroleum fractions or liquid products of coal coking or low-temperature carbonization from non-aromatic hydrocarbons which comprises heat-treatment of said liquid products at a temperature ranging from 750.degree. to 950.degree. C. under a pressure within the range of from 1 to 10 atm in the presence of acyclic C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbons employed separately or in various combinations at a weight ratio between said acyclic hydrocarbons and said liquid products being of at least 0.3. The heat-treatment results in a vapor-gas mixture which is cooled to isolate a condensate containing predominantly aromatic hydrocarbons. The process is technologically simple and makes it possible to purify aromatic hydrocarbons practically without decomposition thereof.

Abstract: A process for the dehydroisomerization of hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst composed of a metal of Group VIII supported on mordenite in hydrogen form and treated with ammonia.

Abstract: Thermal cracking of hydrocarbons by the introduction of liquid feedstock into a stream of hot gaseous combustion products, the method comprising introducing and mixing said liquid as at least one stream in said hot gaseous combustion product stream while concurrently surrounding and shrouding each of said liquid streams with a co-injected annular stream of gas having a velocity sufficient to supplement momentum without substantial dilution of the combustion product stream.

Abstract: In a process for the thermal cracking of hydrocarbons by the introduction of liquid petroleum feedstock in atomized form into a stream of hot combustion products formed by the combustion of fuel and oxidant in successive burner and mixing zone, constricting throat zone, a velocity acceleration diffuser zone and secondary cracking and reaction zone along the path of hot combustion product stream flow, an improvement is disclosed which comprises: effecting initial mixing, vaporization and cracking of said atomized liquid petroleum feedstock in said stream of hot combustion products in said burner and mixing zone maintained at subsonic velocity flow; effecting substantially complete mixing and vaporization in said constricting throat zone wherein said stream is maintained, at exit, at sonic velocity flow; passing said stream through a velocity acceleration diffuser zone maintained at supersonic velocity flow; passing said stream through a shock region produced by cross-sectional expansion of a diffuser zone; and

Abstract: A method for the batch thermal cracking of heavy oils, such as steam blowing for production of binder pitch, employing a reactor having a rotary injection pipe which is rotatable within the reactor. Upon completion of the thermal cracking and withdrawal of the reaction product, the injection pipe ejects preheated raw material under pressure against the interior wall surfaces of the reactor while in rotation to remove coke which has deposited on the reactor walls during the previous cracking operation.